This district stretches from 34th St, through the heavily commercial West 30s up to 59th St (beyond which is Central Park), and lies west of 6th Ave. The West Side is home not only to the famed "Great White Way" (Broadway), but to the emerging business district centered on the now thoroughly Disneyfied Times Square. The Theater District centers on the outlandishly commercial "New" 42nd Street and heads up Broadway and 7th Avenues, melding to the west with the resurgent neighborhood of Hell's Kitchen and its commercial strip on 9th Avenue, and to the north with the newly-built Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle. The area becomes increasingly residential as you go north or west, and more commercial to the east and south. Many of Manhattan's largest hotels (including the Hilton and the Sheraton) are located on 6th or 7th Avenue in this area.

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This district stretches from 34th St, through the heavily commercial West 30s up to 59th St (beyond which is Central Park), and lies west of 6th Ave. The West Side is home not only to the famed "Great White Way" (Broadway), but to the emerging business district centered on the now thoroughly Disneyfied Times Square. The Theater District centers on the outlandishly commercial "New" 42nd St and heads up Broadway and 7th Aves, melding to the west with the resurgent neighborhood of Hell's Kitchen and its commercial strip on 9th Ave, and to the north with the newly-built Time Warner Center at Columbus Cir. The area becomes increasingly residential as you go north or west, and more commercial to the east and south. Many of Manhattan's largest hotels (including the Hilton and the Sheraton) are located on 6th or 7th Ave in this area.

The Times Square-42nd St. [[New York City#By subway|subway]] station is one of the major nerve centers of public transit in New York, with the '''1''', '''2''', '''3''', '''7''', '''N''', '''Q''', '''R''' and '''S''' (Grand Central Shuttle) lines all stopping there, while a pedestrian tunnel affords a free transfer to the 42nd St.-8th Av. station, which serves the '''A''', '''C''', and '''E''' lines. Nearby, though not connected to the Times Square-42nd St. station, the '''B''', '''D''', '''F''', and '''M''' lines stop at 42nd St. and 6th Avenue.

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The Times Square-42nd St. [[New York City#By subway|subway]] station is one of the major nerve centers of public transit in New York, with the '''1''', '''2''', '''3''', '''7''', '''N''', '''Q''', '''R''' and '''S''' (Grand Central Shuttle) lines all stopping there, while a pedestrian tunnel affords a free transfer to the 42nd St.-8th Av. station, which serves the '''A''', '''C''', and '''E''' lines. Nearby, though not connected to the Times Square-42nd St station, the '''B''', '''D''', '''F''', and '''M''' lines stop at 42nd St and 6th Ave.

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South of Times Square, the 1, 2, and 3 lines run under 7th Avenue, the A, C and E lines run under 8th Avenue, the N, Q and R lines run under Broadway, and the B, D, F and M lines run under 6th Avenue, with all lines stopping at 34th Street.

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South of Times Square, the 1, 2, and 3 lines run under 7th Ave, the A, C and E lines run under 8th Ave, the N, Q and R lines run under Broadway, and the B, D, F and M lines run under 6th Ave, with all lines stopping at 34th St.

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North of Times Square, the 1, 2, and 3 lines run under Broadway, with the 1 stopping at 50th St. and 59th St-Columbus Circle. The A, C, and E lines run under 8th Avenue, with the C and E stopping at 50th St., before the E branches east to head under 53rd St. to Queens, stopping at 7th Av, while the A and C lines continue north, stopping at 59th St-Columbus Circle. The N, Q, and R lines run under 7th Avenue, stopping at 57th St. (the ideal stop for Carnegie Hall), with the N and R lines also stopping at 49th St. The F train continues along 6th Avenue, stopping at 57th St., while the B and D trains head northwest, stopping at 7th Av./53rd St. and 59th St-Columbus Circle.

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North of Times Square, the 1, 2, and 3 lines run under Broadway, with the 1 stopping at 50th St and 59th St-Columbus Cir. The A, C, and E lines run under 8th Ave, with the C and E stopping at 50th St, before the E branches east to head under 53rd St to Queens, stopping at 7th Ave, while the A and C lines continue north, stopping at 59th St-Columbus Cir. The N, Q, and R lines run under 7th Ave, stopping at 57th St (the ideal stop for Carnegie Hall), with the N and R lines also stopping at 49th St. The F train continues along 6th Ave, stopping at 57th St, while the B and D trains head northwest, stopping at 7th Ave/53rd St and 59th St-Columbus Cir.

===By MTA bus===

===By MTA bus===

Line 25:

Line 25:

===By long distance bus===

===By long distance bus===

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Manhattan's main long distance bus station is the Port Authority Bus Terminal, between 8th and 9th Avenues between 40th and 42nd Streets. Connections are available on commuter buses to New Jersey and Rockland County, New York, and to long-distance routes through the country and to Canada.

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Manhattan's main long distance bus station is the Port Authority Bus Terminal, between 8th and 9th Aves between 40th and 42nd Sts. Connections are available on commuter buses to New Jersey and Rockland County, New York, and to long-distance routes through the country and to Canada.

===By taxi===

===By taxi===

Line 31:

Line 31:

===On foot===

===On foot===

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Walking is the way you can see the most, but even walking can be a problem, particularly on Broadway and 7th Av. between 48th and 42nd Sts. Large numbers of tourists are liable to be standing still and looking up every few feet, and of course, you may be one of them. But if you prefer to take a walk at a steadier pace, take a side street and walk on another avenue.

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Walking is the way you can see the most, but even walking can be a problem, particularly on Broadway and 7th Ave between 48th and 42nd Sts. Large numbers of tourists are liable to be standing still and looking up every few feet, and of course, you may be one of them. But if you prefer to take a walk at a steadier pace, take a side street and walk on another avenue.

==See==

==See==

[[Image:Times Square NYPD.JPG|thumb|300px|On Times Square, even the police station has a flashy neon sign on the roof]]

[[Image:Times Square NYPD.JPG|thumb|300px|On Times Square, even the police station has a flashy neon sign on the roof]]

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* <see name="Times Square" alt="" address="Broadway and 7th Avenue, stretching from 42nd to 48th Streets" directions="" phone="" url="" hours="" price="" lat="" long="" email="" fax="">A place filled with video screens, LED signs, and flashing lights; a world wonder or a tourist nightmare depending on your perspective, the "new" Times Square is a family-friendly theme park of themed restaurants, theaters and hotels, as well as a developing business district. The lights and signs can be viewed anytime, but the most enchanting experience comes when one visits Times Square at night, as all the signs and screens are ablaze with color. Times Square is also well known for its famous New Year's Eve ball drop. Those looking for the seedy Times Square of years past will find it around the Port Authority Bus Terminal, and on Eighth Avenue to the west.</see>

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* <see name="Times Square" alt="" address="Broadway and 7th Ave, stretching from 42nd to 48th Sts" directions="" phone="" url="" hours="" price="" lat="" long="" email="" fax="">Nicknamed "The Crossroads of the World", and the notional center of Manhattan. Yet actually it is not a "square" in the strictest sense of the word of course - rather it is an "X"-shaped intersection between Broadway and 7th Ave - filled with video screens, LED signs, and flashing lights; a world wonder or a tourist nightmare depending on your perspective. The "new" Times Square is a family-friendly theme park of themed restaurants, theaters and hotels, as well as a developing business district. The lights and signs can be viewed anytime, but the most enchanting experience comes when one visits Times Square at night, as all the signs and screens are ablaze with color. Times Square is also well known for its famous New Year's Eve ball drop. Those looking for the seedy Times Square of years past will find it around the Port Authority Bus Terminal, and on Eighth Avenue to the west.</see>

** <see name="TKTS Booth" alt="" address="47th St" directions="between Broadway and 7th Ave, at the north end of Times Square" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">A ticket booth selling discounted Broadway and off-Broadway shows. However, the cheaper tickets aren't the only attraction, as the back of the booth is a large, red-lit glass staircase facing Times Square, which serves as a set of bleachers and offers an excellent opportunity to get above the street and just watch the crowds and flashing signs.</see>

** <see name="TKTS Booth" alt="" address="47th St" directions="between Broadway and 7th Ave, at the north end of Times Square" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">A ticket booth selling discounted Broadway and off-Broadway shows. However, the cheaper tickets aren't the only attraction, as the back of the booth is a large, red-lit glass staircase facing Times Square, which serves as a set of bleachers and offers an excellent opportunity to get above the street and just watch the crowds and flashing signs.</see>

** <see name="One Times Square" alt="" address="1475 Broadway" directions="at 42nd St" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">Originally the second-tallest building in the world when it opened in 1905, One Times Square was constructed to be the headquarters for ''The New York Times'', a function it would serve for less than ten years. The annual Times Square ball drop is performed from the roof of this building. And you can't miss the famous Dow Jones news and sports zipper (the first news ticker in the world) attached to its lower facade.</see>

** <see name="One Times Square" alt="" address="1475 Broadway" directions="at 42nd St" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">Originally the second-tallest building in the world when it opened in 1905, One Times Square was constructed to be the headquarters for ''The New York Times'', a function it would serve for less than ten years. The annual Times Square ball drop is performed from the roof of this building. And you can't miss the famous Dow Jones news and sports zipper (the first news ticker in the world) attached to its lower facade.</see>

* <see name="Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum" alt="" address="Pier 86" directions="12th Ave & 46th St" phone="+1 212 245-0072" email="" fax="" url="http://www.intrepidmuseum.org" hours="Apr-Sep M-F 10AM-5PM, Sa-Su 10AM-6PM; Oct-Mar Tu-Su 10AM-5PM" price="$16.50 adult">The aircraft carrier ''Intrepid'' is docked here and loaded with spacecraft and aircraft including the very cool Blackbird spy plane. On the other side of the dock is a guided-missile submarine and a Concorde, both of which you can tour also, and some tanks.</see>

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* <see name="Intrepid Sea, Air &amp; Space Museum" alt="" address="Pier 86" directions="12th Ave &amp; 46th St" phone="+1-212-245-0072" url="http://www.intrepidmuseum.org" hours="Apr-Sep M-F 10AM-5PM, Sa Su 10AM-6PM, Oct-Mar Tu-Su 10AM-5PM" price="$16.50" lat="" long="" email="" fax="">The aircraft carrier ''Intrepid'' is docked here and loaded with spacecraft and aircraft including the very cool Blackbird spy plane. On the other side of the dock is the ''USS Growler'' a guided-missile submarine and a Concorde, both of which you can tour also, and some tanks.</see>

==Do==

==Do==

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* <do name="ABC Times Square Studios" alt="" address="1500 Broadway" directions="between 43rd and 44th Sts" phone="+1 212 930-7700 " email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">Come here bright and early in the morning to be in the live audience of the network's famous morning news show, ''Good Morning America''. Walkbys can view the show in progress from the studio's street level windows and catch up on the latest news scrolling away continuously on the building's lower two message zippers.</do>

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* <do name="ABC Times Square Studios" alt="" address="1500 Broadway" directions="btwn 43rd and 44th Sts" phone="+1-212-930-7700" url="" hours="" price="" lat="" long="" email="" fax="">Come here bright and early in the morning to be in the live audience of the network's famous morning news show, ''Good Morning America''. Passerby's can view the show in progress from the studio's street level windows and catch up on the latest news scrolling away continuously on the building's lower two message boards.</do>

* <do name="Carnegie Hall" alt="" address="154 W 57th St" directions="" phone="" url="http://www.carnegiehall.org/" hours="" price="" lat="" long="" email="" fax="">If you ask a New Yorker how to get to Carnegie Hall, you may get the answer "Practice, practice!" This elegant 19th-century hall, the closest we have to the great European halls, is New York's premier venue for famous recitalists and visiting symphony orchestras. The complex also includes the more intimate Weill Recital Hall slightly further east and Zankel Hall, in the basement of the side of the building facing 7th Av. near 56th St, a medium-sized venue used by jazz groups and classical concert pianists, alike.</do>

* <do name="Carnegie Hall" alt="" address="154 W 57th St" directions="" phone="" url="http://www.carnegiehall.org/" hours="" price="" lat="" long="" email="" fax="">If you ask a New Yorker how to get to Carnegie Hall, you may get the answer "Practice, practice!" This elegant 19th-century hall, the closest we have to the great European halls, is New York's premier venue for famous recitalists and visiting symphony orchestras. The complex also includes the more intimate Weill Recital Hall slightly further east and Zankel Hall, in the basement of the side of the building facing 7th Av. near 56th St, a medium-sized venue used by jazz groups and classical concert pianists, alike.</do>

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* <buy name="Hudson Theatre" alt="" address="145 W 44th St" directions="" phone="+1 212 768-4400" url="http://www.millenniumhotelnyc.com/hudson-theatre/" hours="" price="" lat="" long="">This theatre is over 100 years old and remains the third oldest theatre in Broadway. Located right next to the Millennium Broadway Hotel, this NYC theatre now offers wedding, event and meeting space in an elegant, historic setting.</buy>

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* <buy name="Hudson Theatre" alt="" address="145 W 44th St" directions="" phone="+1-212-768-4400" url="http://www.millenniumhotelnyc.com/hudson-theatre/" hours="" price="" lat="" long="">This theatre is over 100 years old and remains the third oldest theatre in Broadway. Located right next to the Millennium Broadway Hotel, this NYC theatre now offers wedding, event and meeting space in an elegant, historic setting.</buy>

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* <do name="Kramer's Reality Tour" alt="" address="358 W 44th St" directions="At: The Producers Club Theater" tollfree="+1 800 572-6377" phone="+1 212 268-5525" email="" fax="+1 212 465-9327" url="http://www.kennykramer.com" hours="Sa Su noon" price="$37.50">For Seinfeld fans. Kenny Kramer, said to be the inspiration for the character Kramer, tells about the show, in a fun way. And guides on a tour to places seen in the show. Stop for photo outside [[Manhattan/Upper West Side#Eat|the restaurant]] seen in the show.</do>

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* <do name="Kramer's Reality Tour" alt="" address="358 W 44th St" directions="At: The Producers Club Theater" tollfree="+1-800-572-6377" phone="+1-212-268-5525" email="" fax="+1-212-465-9327" url="http://www.kennykramer.com" hours="Sa Su noon" price="$37.50">For ''Seinfeld'' fans. Kenny Kramer, said to be the inspiration for the character Kramer, tells about the show, in a fun way. And guides on a tour to places seen in the show. Stop for photo outside [[Manhattan/Upper West Side#Eat|the restaurant]] seen in the show.</do>

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*<do name="Discovery Times Square Exposition" alt="Discovery TSX" address="226 West 44th Street" directions="" phone="" url="http://www.discoverytsx.com" hours="" price="" lat="" long="">Discovery Times Square Exposition is an exhibition hall that caters to traveling exhibitions that are deemed "too large, too expensive, too nondisciplinary or too commercial" for local museums. Discovery TSX has been home to Harry Potter: The Exhibition, CSI: The Experience, Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, King Tut NYC: Return of the King, and Pompeii the Exhibit. </do>

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*<do name="Discovery Times Square Exposition" alt="Discovery TSX" address="226 W 44th St" directions="" phone="" url="http://www.discoverytsx.com" hours="" price="" lat="" long="">Discovery Times Square Exposition is an exhibition hall that caters to traveling exhibitions that are deemed "too large, too expensive, too nondisciplinary or too commercial" for local museums. Discovery TSX has been home to Harry Potter: The Exhibition, CSI: The Experience, Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, King Tut NYC: Return of the King, and Pompeii the Exhibit. </do>

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*<do name="New York Broadway Tours" alt="" address="5 Times Square btwn W41st & 7th" directions="" phone="800-979-3370" url="http://www.newyorkbroadwaytours.com" hours="" price="25.00" lat="" long="">Combining the rich history of New York’s musical theatre scene with real New York actors, New York Broadway Tours bridges the love of the stage with tourists. The tour is an interactive walking, talking, singing Broadway show where the tourist gets the chance to be a Broadway STAR!</do>

* <buy name="Macy's" alt="" address="151 W 34th St" directions="between 7th Ave and Broadway" phone="+1 212 695-4400" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">Billing itself as "The World's Largest Store" on the large signs outside, this is the flagship store of the national chain and covers an entire city block. Its holiday window displays are so popular that they usually have a corporate sponsor. One useful tip for visitors is to go to the Macy's guest center on floor 1 1/2 and they will give you a guest card that discounts virtually everything in the store by 11%.</buy>

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* <buy name="Macy's" alt="" address="151 W 34th St" directions="btwn 7th Ave and Broadway" phone="+1-212-695-4400" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">Billing itself as "The World's Largest Store" on the large signs outside, this is the flagship store of the national chain and covers an entire city block. Its holiday window displays are so popular that they usually have a corporate sponsor. One useful tip for visitors is to go to the Macy's guest center on floor 1 1/2 and they will give you a guest card that discounts virtually everything in the store by 11%.</buy>

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*'''Kinokuniya''', On 6th Ave. between 41st and 40th Streets is a Japanese book dealer, carrying a huge selection of Japanese reading material. It also sells a number of books by Japanese authors in English translation. It is also known as a source of excellent Japanese anime and manga, much of which is difficult or impossible to find anywhere else in the United States.

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*'''Kinokuniya''', On 6th Ave btwn 41st and 40th Sts is a Japanese book dealer, carrying a huge selection of Japanese reading material. It also sells a number of books by Japanese authors in English translation. It is also known as a source of excellent Japanese anime and manga, much of which is difficult or impossible to find anywhere else in the United States.

* <buy name="Toys 'R' Us" alt="" address="1514 Broadway" directions="between 44th and 45th Sts" phone="+1 646 366-8800" email="" fax="" url="http://www4.toysrus.com/timessquare" hours="M-Th 10AM-10PM, F-Sa 10AM-11PM, Su 10AM-9PM" price="">The name pretty much speaks for itself, though it's probably a lot bigger and more dazzling than the typical Toys "R" Us store back in your hometown. Browse through the many sections of toys, games, and electronics and take a ride on their indoor ferris wheel. The cars, based on toys, can carry several people and each round will allow riders to see each floor in the building. An attendant at the loading station will take a picture of you in the car before you go up, however; purchasing the photo is expensive so only do so if you really want to get it.</buy>

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* <buy name="Toys 'R' Us" alt="" address="1514 Broadway" directions="btwn 44th and 45th Sts" phone="+1-646-366-8800" email="" fax="" url="http://www4.toysrus.com/timessquare" hours="M-Th 10AM-10PM, F Sa 10AM-11PM, Su 10AM-9PM" price="">The name pretty much speaks for itself, though it's probably a lot bigger and more dazzling than the typical Toys "R" Us store back in your hometown. Browse through the many sections of toys, games, and electronics and take a ride on their indoor Ferris wheel. The cars, based on toys, can carry several people and each round will allow riders to see each floor in the building. An attendant at the loading station will take a picture of you in the car before you go up, however; purchasing the photo is expensive so only do so if you really want to get it.</buy>

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*'''48th Street'''- Between 6th and 7th Avenues is just off to the northeast of Times Square. Most of this block is occupied by musical instrument dealers. The largest, '''Sam Ash''', has multiple storefronts there, each of which caters to a different family of instruments and equipment.

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*'''48th Street'''- Between 6th and 7th Aves is just off to the northeast of Times Square. Most of this block is occupied by musical instrument dealers. The largest, '''Sam Ash''', has multiple storefronts there, each of which caters to a different family of instruments and equipment.

==Eat==

==Eat==

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Times Square can seem infested with glorified, tacky, and overpriced versions of chain restaurants like McDonalds, Bubba Gump Shrimp, Red Lobster, and Applebee's that you can find anywhere else in America. These restaurants are more expensive than their suburban counterparts (a Big Mac costs $6) However, there are better food options available in the area, especially if you get away from Times Square proper and explore other areas in the Theater District.

+

Times Square can seem infested with glorified, tacky, and overpriced versions of chain restaurants like McDonald's, Bubba Gump Shrimp, Red Lobster, and Applebee's that you can find anywhere else in America. These restaurants are more expensive than their suburban counterparts (a Big Mac costs $6) However, there are better food options available in the area, especially if you get away from Times Square proper and explore other areas in the Theater District.

* <eat name="Cranberry Cafe" alt="" address="115 W 45th St" directions="1 block from Times Sq" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="24/7" price="">A huge variety of sandwiches, pizza, sushi, and udon. Hot and cold salad bars. Sandwiches are $4-$6. Very popular with local workers, so it gets very busy at breakfast and lunch time. There is ample seating upstairs.</eat>

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* <eat name="Poseidon Bakery" alt="" address="629 9th Ave" directions="between 44th and 45th Sts" phone="+1 212 757-6173" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">Serves wonderful Greek pastries, savory and sweet alike. There is no place to sit, but the staff are very friendly and helpful, and you can have a delicious, cheap meal for takeout.</eat>

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* <eat name="Poseidon Bakery" alt="" address="629 9th Ave" directions="btwn 44th and 45th Sts" phone="+1-212-757-6173" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">Serves wonderful Greek pastries, savory and sweet alike. There is no place to sit, but the staff are very friendly and helpful, and you can have a delicious, cheap meal for takeout.</eat>

===Mid-Range===

===Mid-Range===

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* <eat name="Ariana Afghan Kebab House" alt="" address="787 9th Ave" directions="between 52nd and 53rd Sts" phone="+1 212 262-2323 or +1 212 262-0065" email="" fax="" url="http://www.ariananyc.com" hours="11:30AM-10:30PM daily" price="About $20-30/person for a large 3-course meal with a non-alcoholic beverage" geo="" tags="comma,separated,tag_labels">Very good food, which of course includes kebabs, but also peppery ''Aush'' (a type of beany noodle soup), ''Badinjan Burani'' (a fried eggplant appetizer garlic and yogurt, served with bread), etc. Salads, which come with main dishes, have a dressing which includes mayonnaise. Ask for no dressing and put the green hot sauce on them yourself.</eat>

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* <eat name="Ariana Afghan Kebab House" alt="" address="787 9th Ave" directions="btwn 52nd and 53rd Sts" phone="+1-212-262-2323, +1-212-262-0065" email="" fax="" url="http://www.ariananyc.com" hours="11:30AM-10:30PM daily" price="About $20-30 for a large 3-course meal with a non-alcoholic beverage" geo="" tags="comma,separated,tag_labels">Very good food, which of course includes kebabs, but also peppery ''Aush'' (a type of beany noodle soup), ''Badinjan Burani'' (a fried eggplant appetizer garlic and yogurt, served with bread), etc. Salads, which come with main dishes, have a dressing which includes mayonnaise. Ask for no dressing and put the green hot sauce on them yourself.</eat>

−

*<eat name="Carnegie Deli" alt="" address="854 7th Ave" directions="at 55th St" phone="+1 212 757-2245" email="" fax="" url="http://www.carnegiedeli.com" hours="6:30AM-4AM daily" price="">This popular deli is a place some love and some hate. They serves enormous sandwiches -- each of which could easily feed two hungry people. There is a $3 charge for sharing the sandwiches.</eat>

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*<eat name="Carnegie Deli" alt="" address="854 7th Ave" directions="at 55th St" phone="+1-212-757-2245" url="http://www.carnegiedeli.com" hours="6:30AM-4AM daily" price="" lat="" long="" email="" fax="">This popular deli is a place some love and some hate. They serves enormous sandwiches -- each of which could easily feed two hungry people. There is a $3 charge for sharing the sandwiches. Be prepared to wait in line a minimum of 20-30 minutes almost anytime of the day.</eat>

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*<eat name="Gazala Place" alt="" address="709 9th Ave" directions="Between 48th and 49th Sts." phone="+1 212 245-0709" url="http://gazalaplace.com/" hours=" Sun-Fri: 11am-11pm Sat: 11am-midnight" price="Mezes: $5-$9.95; Soups: $4.50; Salads: $7.50-8:50; Breads and savory pies: $4.50-$5.50; Sandwiches: $3.50-6.00; Entrees: $8.95-$17.95; Desserts: $5.50-9.50" lat="" long="">Dependably delicious Israeli Druze cuisine. Their babaganush is categorically better than at most other places, with great smokiness. Their special meze platter, which is not on the menu but seems to always be available, is a fair deal at $20-something. The restaurant is a bit cramped, especially when you have to walk through the kitchen to the restroom, but for food this good at these kinds of prices this close to Times Square and helpful service, it's really worthwhile.</eat>

+

*<eat name="Gazala's Place" alt="" address="709 9th Ave" directions="btwn 48th and 49th Sts" phone="+1-212-245-0709" url="http://gazalaplace.com/" hours="Su-F 11AM-11PM, Sa 11AM-midnight" price="Mezes $5-$10, soups $4.50, salads $7.50-8.50, Breads and savory pies $4.50-5.50, sandwiches $3.50-6, entrees $9-$18, desserts $5.50-9.50" lat="" long="">Dependably delicious Israeli Druze cuisine. Their babaganush is categorically better than at most other places, with great smokiness. Their special meze platter, which is not on the menu but seems to always be available, is a fair deal at $20-something. The restaurant is a bit cramped, especially when you have to walk through the kitchen to the restroom, but for food this good at these kinds of prices this close to Times Sq and helpful service, it's really worthwhile.</eat>

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* <eat name="John's Pizzeria" alt="" address="260 West 44th Street" directions="just east of 8th Ave" phone="+1 212 391-7560" email="" fax="" url="http://www.johnspizzerianyc.com/" hours="Daily 11:30AM-11:30PM" price="">A popular pizza option with a lovely and spacious atmosphere and brick oven, coal fired, thin crust pizzas. Whole pies, no slices. Many fans, however, observe that the pizza at this location is not nearly as good as at their original Greenwich Village location. Also, pre-theater, it can be absolutely mobbed, with wait times of an hour or more.</eat>

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* <eat name="John's Pizzeria" alt="" address="260 W 44th St" directions="just E of 8th Ave" phone="+1-212-391-7560" email="" fax="" url="http://www.johnspizzerianyc.com/" hours="11:30AM-11:30PM daily" price="">A popular pizza option with a lovely and spacious atmosphere and brick oven, coal fired, thin crust pizzas. Whole pies, no slices. Many fans, however, observe that the pizza at this location is not nearly as good as at their original Greenwich Village location. Also, pre-theater, it can be absolutely mobbed, with wait times of an hour or more.</eat>

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* <eat name="Meskerem" alt="" address="468 W 47th St" directions="between 9th and 10th Aves" phone="+1 212 664-0520" email="" fax="" url="" hours="Noon-11PM daily" price="Entrees are $8-19.95">Delicious Ethiopian food, served on delightfully sour injera (sour dough flatbread made from teff, an Ethiopian grain). The combos are the best values, and consider getting some tej (mead) to drink with the meal. Bottles are a good value at $18.</eat>

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* <eat name="Meskerem" alt="" address="468 W 47th St" directions="btwn 9th and 10th Aves" phone="+1-212-664-0520" email="" fax="" url="" hours="Noon-11PM daily" price="Entrees $8-20">Delicious Ethiopian food, served on delightfully sour injera (sour dough flatbread made from teff, an Ethiopian grain). The combos are the best values, and consider getting some tej (mead) to drink with the meal. Bottles are a good value at $18.</eat>

* <drink name="Birdland" alt="" address="W 44th St" directions="between 8th and 9th Aves" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">This historic club (though not at the original location of W. 52 St.) features a great lineup of justly famous performers and has good acoustics. Expect to pay a fair price for that quality. Pricey drinks, good desserts. Dinner is also available and might be worth a try.</drink>

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* <drink name="Birdland" alt="" address="W 44th St" directions="btwn 8th and 9th Aves" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">This historic club (though not at the original location of W 52 St) features a great lineup of justly famous performers and has good acoustics. Expect to pay a fair price for that quality. Pricey drinks, good desserts. Dinner is also available and might be worth a try.</drink>

* <sleep name="Hotel Edison" alt="" address="228 W 47th St" directions="between Broadway and 8th Ave" phone="+1 212 840-5000" email="reservations@edisonhotelnyc.com" fax="" url="http://www.edisonhotelnyc.com" checkin="3PM" checkout="Noon" price="$119+" lat="" long="">Art deco hotel built in 1931, steps from Times Square, known for its old-school luncheonette - where you can get matzo ball soup, omelettes, and the like - and the mock-Art Deco murals on the ground floor.</sleep>

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* <sleep name="Hotel Edison" alt="" address="228 W 47th St" directions="between Broadway and 8th Ave" phone="+1-212-840-5000" email="reservations@edisonhotelnyc.com" fax="" url="http://bitly.com/1gl5Q7I" checkin="3PM" checkout="Noon" price="$119+" lat="" long="">Art deco hotel built in 1931, steps from Times Sq, known for its old-school luncheonette - where you can get matzo ball soup, omelettes, and the like - and the mock-Art Deco murals on the ground floor.</sleep>

* <sleep name="Hotel Novotel New York Times Square" alt="" address="226 W 52nd St" directions="btwn Broadway and 8th Ave" phone="+1-212-315-0100" tollfree="+1-800-515-5679" email="" fax="" url="http://bitly.com/1gDZvnd" checkin="" checkout="" price="$250+">With its sophisticated styling, the newly-redesigned 4-Star Novotel New York Times Sq is located in the heart of Manhattan, within walking distance to New York's best attractions, including Times Square, Central Park, and the prestigious 5th Avenue. Enjoy the stunning panoramic views of Times Sq from your room or at our trendy new restaurant Supernova.</sleep>

* <sleep name="Park Central Hotel" alt="" address="870 7th Ave" directions="at 56th St" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.parkcentralny.com" checkin="" checkout="" price="">Right next to Carnegie Hall and close to the Theater District. Recently spent $65 million on renovations. While its renovations have significantly improved this hotel, it is, at best, a four-star hotel and clearly not one of New York's luxury hotels.</sleep>

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* <sleep name="New York Marriott Marquis Times Square" alt="New York Marriott Marquis Times Square" address="1535 Broadway" directions="" phone="+1-212-398-1900" email="" fax="" url="http://marriott.com/hotels/travel/nycmq-new-york-marriott-marquis-times-square" checkin="" checkout="" price="">Updated hotel rooms, high-speed elevators and six hotel restaurants and lounges. It is known for its revolving bar and the view from its clear-sided elevators.</sleep>

* <sleep name="Park Central Hotel" alt="" address="870 7th Ave" directions="at 56th St" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://bitly.com/1nBAZEj" checkin="" checkout="" price="">Right next to Carnegie Hall and close to the Theater District. Recently spent $65 million on renovations. While its renovations have significantly improved this hotel, it is, at best, a four-star hotel and clearly not one of New York's luxury hotels.</sleep>

Too many travelers spend all or most of their time in the Theater District and other largely non-residential areas of Midtown Manhattan. From the viewpoint of many New Yorkers, the "real New York" is elsewhere, in the residential neighborhoods uptown, downtown, and even a couple of blocks west of Times Square and the bright lights of the Great White Way. If you want to find out how New Yorkers live, work, and party and feel the pace of the city, go to neighborhoods like [[Manhattan/Greenwich Village|Greenwich Village]], the [[Manhattan/East Village|East Village]], [[Manhattan/Chinatown|Chinatown]], [[Manhattan/Harlem and Upper Manhattan|Harlem]], the [[Manhattan/Upper West Side|Upper West]] and [[Manhattan/Upper East Side|Upper East Sides]], or just walk to 9th Av.

Too many travelers spend all or most of their time in the Theater District and other largely non-residential areas of Midtown Manhattan. From the viewpoint of many New Yorkers, the "real New York" is elsewhere, in the residential neighborhoods uptown, downtown, and even a couple of blocks west of Times Square and the bright lights of the Great White Way. If you want to find out how New Yorkers live, work, and party and feel the pace of the city, go to neighborhoods like [[Manhattan/Greenwich Village|Greenwich Village]], the [[Manhattan/East Village|East Village]], [[Manhattan/Chinatown|Chinatown]], [[Manhattan/Harlem and Upper Manhattan|Harlem]], the [[Manhattan/Upper West Side|Upper West]] and [[Manhattan/Upper East Side|Upper East Sides]], or just walk to 9th Av.

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Revision as of 12:06, 1 April 2014

The neon lights and bustle of Times Square

The Theater District is a popular area of Manhattan in New York City, situated on the western side of Midtown. There is more to this area than just theater, with revivified neighborhoods to the west and north of the core entertainment zone.

The Theater District is occasionally referred to as Midtown West (to distinguish it from "Midtown East").

Understand

This district stretches from 34th St, through the heavily commercial West 30s up to 59th St (beyond which is Central Park), and lies west of 6th Ave. The West Side is home not only to the famed "Great White Way" (Broadway), but to the emerging business district centered on the now thoroughly Disneyfied Times Square. The Theater District centers on the outlandishly commercial "New" 42nd St and heads up Broadway and 7th Aves, melding to the west with the resurgent neighborhood of Hell's Kitchen and its commercial strip on 9th Ave, and to the north with the newly-built Time Warner Center at Columbus Cir. The area becomes increasingly residential as you go north or west, and more commercial to the east and south. Many of Manhattan's largest hotels (including the Hilton and the Sheraton) are located on 6th or 7th Ave in this area.

Get in

Theater District Map

By subway

The Times Square-42nd St. subway station is one of the major nerve centers of public transit in New York, with the 1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R and S (Grand Central Shuttle) lines all stopping there, while a pedestrian tunnel affords a free transfer to the 42nd St.-8th Av. station, which serves the A, C, and E lines. Nearby, though not connected to the Times Square-42nd St station, the B, D, F, and M lines stop at 42nd St and 6th Ave.

South of Times Square, the 1, 2, and 3 lines run under 7th Ave, the A, C and E lines run under 8th Ave, the N, Q and R lines run under Broadway, and the B, D, F and M lines run under 6th Ave, with all lines stopping at 34th St.

North of Times Square, the 1, 2, and 3 lines run under Broadway, with the 1 stopping at 50th St and 59th St-Columbus Cir. The A, C, and E lines run under 8th Ave, with the C and E stopping at 50th St, before the E branches east to head under 53rd St to Queens, stopping at 7th Ave, while the A and C lines continue north, stopping at 59th St-Columbus Cir. The N, Q, and R lines run under 7th Ave, stopping at 57th St (the ideal stop for Carnegie Hall), with the N and R lines also stopping at 49th St. The F train continues along 6th Ave, stopping at 57th St, while the B and D trains head northwest, stopping at 7th Ave/53rd St and 59th St-Columbus Cir.

By MTA bus

Quite a number of city bus routes serve the area (see the MTA website [2] for a map), but crosstown routes in particular can be subject to gridlock at peak times.

By long distance bus

Manhattan's main long distance bus station is the Port Authority Bus Terminal, between 8th and 9th Aves between 40th and 42nd Sts. Connections are available on commuter buses to New Jersey and Rockland County, New York, and to long-distance routes through the country and to Canada.

By taxi

Taxis ply the area day and night but can slow to a standstill during rush hour, lunch time, and even mid-afternoon. However, if you need a taxi and are unfamiliar with normal taxi fares, do not hail anything but a yellow cab. Drivers of black limos who offer to pick you up may try to cheat you.

On foot

Walking is the way you can see the most, but even walking can be a problem, particularly on Broadway and 7th Ave between 48th and 42nd Sts. Large numbers of tourists are liable to be standing still and looking up every few feet, and of course, you may be one of them. But if you prefer to take a walk at a steadier pace, take a side street and walk on another avenue.

See

On Times Square, even the police station has a flashy neon sign on the roof

Times Square, Broadway and 7th Ave, stretching from 42nd to 48th Sts. Nicknamed "The Crossroads of the World", and the notional center of Manhattan. Yet actually it is not a "square" in the strictest sense of the word of course - rather it is an "X"-shaped intersection between Broadway and 7th Ave - filled with video screens, LED signs, and flashing lights; a world wonder or a tourist nightmare depending on your perspective. The "new" Times Square is a family-friendly theme park of themed restaurants, theaters and hotels, as well as a developing business district. The lights and signs can be viewed anytime, but the most enchanting experience comes when one visits Times Square at night, as all the signs and screens are ablaze with color. Times Square is also well known for its famous New Year's Eve ball drop. Those looking for the seedy Times Square of years past will find it around the Port Authority Bus Terminal, and on Eighth Avenue to the west.

TKTS Booth, 47th St (between Broadway and 7th Ave, at the north end of Times Square). A ticket booth selling discounted Broadway and off-Broadway shows. However, the cheaper tickets aren't the only attraction, as the back of the booth is a large, red-lit glass staircase facing Times Square, which serves as a set of bleachers and offers an excellent opportunity to get above the street and just watch the crowds and flashing signs.

One Times Square, 1475 Broadway (at 42nd St). Originally the second-tallest building in the world when it opened in 1905, One Times Square was constructed to be the headquarters for The New York Times, a function it would serve for less than ten years. The annual Times Square ball drop is performed from the roof of this building. And you can't miss the famous Dow Jones news and sports zipper (the first news ticker in the world) attached to its lower facade.

Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum - Bridge

Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, Pier 86 (12th Ave & 46th St), ☎+1-212-245-0072, [3]. Apr-Sep M-F 10AM-5PM, Sa Su 10AM-6PM, Oct-Mar Tu-Su 10AM-5PM. The aircraft carrier Intrepid is docked here and loaded with spacecraft and aircraft including the very cool Blackbird spy plane. On the other side of the dock is the USS Growler a guided-missile submarine and a Concorde, both of which you can tour also, and some tanks.$16.50.

Do

ABC Times Square Studios, 1500 Broadway (btwn 43rd and 44th Sts), ☎+1-212-930-7700. Come here bright and early in the morning to be in the live audience of the network's famous morning news show, Good Morning America. Passerby's can view the show in progress from the studio's street level windows and catch up on the latest news scrolling away continuously on the building's lower two message boards.

Carnegie Hall, 154 W 57th St, [5]. If you ask a New Yorker how to get to Carnegie Hall, you may get the answer "Practice, practice!" This elegant 19th-century hall, the closest we have to the great European halls, is New York's premier venue for famous recitalists and visiting symphony orchestras. The complex also includes the more intimate Weill Recital Hall slightly further east and Zankel Hall, in the basement of the side of the building facing 7th Av. near 56th St, a medium-sized venue used by jazz groups and classical concert pianists, alike.

Hudson Theatre, 145 W 44th St, ☎+1-212-768-4400, [6]. This theatre is over 100 years old and remains the third oldest theatre in Broadway. Located right next to the Millennium Broadway Hotel, this NYC theatre now offers wedding, event and meeting space in an elegant, historic setting.

Kramer's Reality Tour, 358 W 44th St (At: The Producers Club Theater), ☎+1-212-268-5525 (toll free: +1-800-572-6377, fax: +1-212-465-9327), [7]. Sa Su noon. For Seinfeld fans. Kenny Kramer, said to be the inspiration for the character Kramer, tells about the show, in a fun way. And guides on a tour to places seen in the show. Stop for photo outside the restaurant seen in the show.$37.50.

Discovery Times Square Exposition (Discovery TSX), 226 W 44th St, [8]. Discovery Times Square Exposition is an exhibition hall that caters to traveling exhibitions that are deemed "too large, too expensive, too nondisciplinary or too commercial" for local museums. Discovery TSX has been home to Harry Potter: The Exhibition, CSI: The Experience, Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, King Tut NYC: Return of the King, and Pompeii the Exhibit.

New York Broadway Tours, 5 Times Square btwn W41st & 7th, ☎800-979-3370, [9]. Combining the rich history of New York’s musical theatre scene with real New York actors, New York Broadway Tours bridges the love of the stage with tourists. The tour is an interactive walking, talking, singing Broadway show where the tourist gets the chance to be a Broadway STAR!25.00.

Buy

Hershey's Times Square, 1593 Broadway (btwn 48th and 49th Sts), ☎+1-212-581-9100, [10]. Su-Th 10AM-10PM, F Sa 10AM-11PM. Purchase all types of chocolate goodies and Hershey-themed trinkets here. A few dollars can also get your personalized message scrolled across their authentic zipper outside on the store's facade.

Macy's, 151 W 34th St (btwn 7th Ave and Broadway), ☎+1-212-695-4400. Billing itself as "The World's Largest Store" on the large signs outside, this is the flagship store of the national chain and covers an entire city block. Its holiday window displays are so popular that they usually have a corporate sponsor. One useful tip for visitors is to go to the Macy's guest center on floor 1 1/2 and they will give you a guest card that discounts virtually everything in the store by 11%.

Kinokuniya, On 6th Ave btwn 41st and 40th Sts is a Japanese book dealer, carrying a huge selection of Japanese reading material. It also sells a number of books by Japanese authors in English translation. It is also known as a source of excellent Japanese anime and manga, much of which is difficult or impossible to find anywhere else in the United States.

Toys 'R' Us, 1514 Broadway (btwn 44th and 45th Sts), ☎+1-646-366-8800, [13]. M-Th 10AM-10PM, F Sa 10AM-11PM, Su 10AM-9PM. The name pretty much speaks for itself, though it's probably a lot bigger and more dazzling than the typical Toys "R" Us store back in your hometown. Browse through the many sections of toys, games, and electronics and take a ride on their indoor Ferris wheel. The cars, based on toys, can carry several people and each round will allow riders to see each floor in the building. An attendant at the loading station will take a picture of you in the car before you go up, however; purchasing the photo is expensive so only do so if you really want to get it.

48th Street- Between 6th and 7th Aves is just off to the northeast of Times Square. Most of this block is occupied by musical instrument dealers. The largest, Sam Ash, has multiple storefronts there, each of which caters to a different family of instruments and equipment.

Eat

Times Square can seem infested with glorified, tacky, and overpriced versions of chain restaurants like McDonald's, Bubba Gump Shrimp, Red Lobster, and Applebee's that you can find anywhere else in America. These restaurants are more expensive than their suburban counterparts (a Big Mac costs $6) However, there are better food options available in the area, especially if you get away from Times Square proper and explore other areas in the Theater District.

Budget

Cranberry Cafe, 115 W 45th St (1 block from Times Sq). 24/7. A huge variety of sandwiches, pizza, sushi, and udon. Hot and cold salad bars. Sandwiches are $4-$6. Very popular with local workers, so it gets very busy at breakfast and lunch time. There is ample seating upstairs.

Poseidon Bakery, 629 9th Ave (btwn 44th and 45th Sts), ☎+1-212-757-6173. Serves wonderful Greek pastries, savory and sweet alike. There is no place to sit, but the staff are very friendly and helpful, and you can have a delicious, cheap meal for takeout.

Mid-Range

Ariana Afghan Kebab House, 787 9th Ave (btwn 52nd and 53rd Sts), ☎+1-212-262-2323, +1-212-262-0065, [14]. 11:30AM-10:30PM daily. Very good food, which of course includes kebabs, but also peppery Aush (a type of beany noodle soup), Badinjan Burani (a fried eggplant appetizer garlic and yogurt, served with bread), etc. Salads, which come with main dishes, have a dressing which includes mayonnaise. Ask for no dressing and put the green hot sauce on them yourself.About $20-30 for a large 3-course meal with a non-alcoholic beverage.

Carnegie Deli, 854 7th Ave (at 55th St), ☎+1-212-757-2245, [15]. 6:30AM-4AM daily. This popular deli is a place some love and some hate. They serves enormous sandwiches -- each of which could easily feed two hungry people. There is a $3 charge for sharing the sandwiches. Be prepared to wait in line a minimum of 20-30 minutes almost anytime of the day.

Gazala's Place, 709 9th Ave (btwn 48th and 49th Sts), ☎+1-212-245-0709, [16]. Su-F 11AM-11PM, Sa 11AM-midnight. Dependably delicious Israeli Druze cuisine. Their babaganush is categorically better than at most other places, with great smokiness. Their special meze platter, which is not on the menu but seems to always be available, is a fair deal at $20-something. The restaurant is a bit cramped, especially when you have to walk through the kitchen to the restroom, but for food this good at these kinds of prices this close to Times Sq and helpful service, it's really worthwhile.Mezes $5-$10, soups $4.50, salads $7.50-8.50, Breads and savory pies $4.50-5.50, sandwiches $3.50-6, entrees $9-$18, desserts $5.50-9.50.

John's Pizzeria, 260 W 44th St (just E of 8th Ave), ☎+1-212-391-7560, [17]. 11:30AM-11:30PM daily. A popular pizza option with a lovely and spacious atmosphere and brick oven, coal fired, thin crust pizzas. Whole pies, no slices. Many fans, however, observe that the pizza at this location is not nearly as good as at their original Greenwich Village location. Also, pre-theater, it can be absolutely mobbed, with wait times of an hour or more.

Meskerem, 468 W 47th St (btwn 9th and 10th Aves), ☎+1-212-664-0520. Noon-11PM daily. Delicious Ethiopian food, served on delightfully sour injera (sour dough flatbread made from teff, an Ethiopian grain). The combos are the best values, and consider getting some tej (mead) to drink with the meal. Bottles are a good value at $18.Entrees $8-20.

Drink

B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, 237 W 42nd St (Times Sq), [23]. Consists of two areas: the Showcase Room which features bigger name performers and the smaller Lucille's Grill which offers free music.

Birdland, W 44th St (btwn 8th and 9th Aves). This historic club (though not at the original location of W 52 St) features a great lineup of justly famous performers and has good acoustics. Expect to pay a fair price for that quality. Pricey drinks, good desserts. Dinner is also available and might be worth a try.

The Perfect Pint, 123 W 45th St (at Broadway), ☎+1-212-354-1099. Two-story pub off of Times Square with good Irish beers on tap and pricey entrées. Definitely not typical pub-grub, but the price matches.$15-25 per entree.

Equity Point Hostel New York At Times Square, 206 W 41st St (btwn 7th and 8th Aves), ☎+1-212-703-8600 (info@hotel41nyc.com, fax: +1-212-302-0895), [26]. Times Sq boutique hotel next door to the Nederlander Theatre, home of the musical Rent.$129+.

Hotel Edison, 228 W 47th St (between Broadway and 8th Ave), ☎+1-212-840-5000 (reservations@edisonhotelnyc.com), [39]. checkin: 3PM; checkout: Noon. Art deco hotel built in 1931, steps from Times Sq, known for its old-school luncheonette - where you can get matzo ball soup, omelettes, and the like - and the mock-Art Deco murals on the ground floor.$119+.

Hotel Novotel New York Times Square, 226 W 52nd St (btwn Broadway and 8th Ave), ☎+1-212-315-0100 (toll free: +1-800-515-5679), [40]. With its sophisticated styling, the newly-redesigned 4-Star Novotel New York Times Sq is located in the heart of Manhattan, within walking distance to New York's best attractions, including Times Square, Central Park, and the prestigious 5th Avenue. Enjoy the stunning panoramic views of Times Sq from your room or at our trendy new restaurant Supernova.$250+.

JW Marriott Essex House New York, 160 Central Pk S (btwn 6th and 7th Aves), ☎+1-212-247-0300 (fax: +1 212 315-1839), [42]. Built in 1931, the JW Marriott Essex House New York hotel is a well known and recognized feature of Manhattan near Central Park.

New York Marriott Marquis Times Square (New York Marriott Marquis Times Square), 1535 Broadway, ☎+1-212-398-1900, [46]. Updated hotel rooms, high-speed elevators and six hotel restaurants and lounges. It is known for its revolving bar and the view from its clear-sided elevators.

Park Central Hotel, 870 7th Ave (at 56th St), [47]. Right next to Carnegie Hall and close to the Theater District. Recently spent $65 million on renovations. While its renovations have significantly improved this hotel, it is, at best, a four-star hotel and clearly not one of New York's luxury hotels.

Contact

Get out

Too many travelers spend all or most of their time in the Theater District and other largely non-residential areas of Midtown Manhattan. From the viewpoint of many New Yorkers, the "real New York" is elsewhere, in the residential neighborhoods uptown, downtown, and even a couple of blocks west of Times Square and the bright lights of the Great White Way. If you want to find out how New Yorkers live, work, and party and feel the pace of the city, go to neighborhoods like Greenwich Village, the East Village, Chinatown, Harlem, the Upper West and Upper East Sides, or just walk to 9th Av.

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!